Micro Lens Array Layout for Uniform Depth-Sensing Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera devices struggle to extract depth maps with high precision and resolution, and the design of micro lens arrays in light-emitting units can affect the uniformity of surface lighting patterns, potentially compromising user safety.
Innovation Solution
The camera device incorporates a micro lens array with regions of micro lenses having varying diameters and arrangements, including first, second, and third regions with specific correlations and aspherical shapes defined by equations, to enhance lighting pattern uniformity and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional micro lens array with uniform lens design is used, then the device complexity is low, but the uniformity of surface lighting pattern deteriorates and depth map precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The micro lens array is divided into multiple regions (first region, second region, third region) with different micro lens diameters. The first region has a first diameter, the second region has a second diameter, and the third region has a third diameter. This local differentiation optimizes the lighting pattern uniformity and depth map precision for different spatial zones, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro lens array is segmented into multiple functional regions with distinct lens parameters. Each region (first, second, third regions) contains micro lenses with specific diameter characteristics that differ from other regions. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each region's performance, achieving high depth map precision without requiring overly complex overall design.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the micro lens array design is simplified, then the device complexity is reduced, but the uniformity of surface lighting pattern deteriorates affecting user safety
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the micro lens array are assigned different lens diameters to achieve uniform lighting distribution. The first region uses a first diameter, the second region uses a second diameter, and the third region uses a third diameter. This local quality variation ensures stable and uniform surface lighting pattern composition, which is critical for user safety, while avoiding the need for a completely complex redesigned structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design achieves high precision and resolution in depth map extraction while ensuring user safety by maintaining uniformity in the surface lighting pattern.
Implementation Method 1
a micro lens array disposed on the light source, the micro lens array includes a first region including a plurality of first micro lenses having a first diameter, a second region surrounding the first region and including a plurality of second micro lenses having a second diameter, and a third region surrounding the second region and including a plurality of third micro lenses having a third diameter
Data Source
AI summary
A camera device, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a light-emitting unit for radiating an optical signal to an object; a light-receiving unit including an image sensor and receiving the optical signal reflected from the object; and a depth information generation unit for generating depth information of the object by using the optical signal received by the light-receiving unit, the light-emitting unit comprising a light source and a micro lens array disposed on the light source. The micro lens array comprises: a first region including a plurality of first micro lenses having a first diameter; a second region surrounding the first region and including a plurality of second micro lenses having a second diameter; and a third region surrounding the second region and including a plurality of third micro lenses having a third diameter, wherein the number and diameter of the micro lenses included in at least one of the first to third regions are correlated with the diameter of the micro lenses included in another region surrounding at least one of the first to third regions.